State Funded Panel Issues Final Report on Impacts of Agrochemical Industry on Kauai's Health and Environment

The state-funded Joint Fact-Finding panel dedicated to studying the impacts of the agrochemical industry on Kaua`i (the JFFG) has issued its final report. The report makes recommendations to the state and county for environmental testing and health monitoring to close information gaps and modernize Hawaii`s pesticide regulations.

Specifically, the Report recommends:

Statewide pesticide buffer zones

Statewide mandatory and thorough disclosure of pesticide use (both restricted use and general use)

Collection of more accurate health data that helps scientists identify links between pesticides and health impacts on children, babies and families

Air, soil and water testing

As, news coverage of the reports findings makes clear, "Hawaii needs to do a better job of determining the health and environmental effects of the chemicals that genetically modified seed and coffee companies spray on their crops," and we can only do that by being willing to work together for the well-being of our community.

Clarified some of the recommendations, especially those regarding buffer zone policies and future monitoring and data collection;

Included more details on EPA’s approval processes, standard setting, and label making which has the force of law;

Added additional information and citations; and

Added information from Kaua‘i Dept. of Water's testing in March 2016 and the Kaua‘i legislative delegation’s recent resolution to seek additional funds to support some of the future actions recommended.

Peter Adler of the consulting firm Accord 3.0, hired by the State and County to facilitate the JFFG process, also published a 5-page statement written to Kaua`i Mayor Bernard Carvalho and state Agriculture Chair Scott Enright whose departnments funded the process:

Take action now to let the Governor know you want the recommendations of the JFFG report enacted!

As one expert in environmental conflict resolution put it, "it is vital that we don’t allow ourselves to remain paralyzed. We must find ways to merge our differing viewpoints and, together, advocate for a better future for the planet and all of its inhabitants. The JFF process is one of those ways, and we should support it."